The Mysterious Lady

The Twin

CHAPTER ONE

"nana, what are you doing?"

"Just cooking our dinner dearest. Martin will be coming later. We're out of wood already." Jane Eklies said glancing at her 16 year old charge sitting unfemininely on the stool of their cozy little cottage's kitchen.

The cottage was located in the heart of a clearing but anyone won't be able to spot it as it is covered and guarded by a circling mass of stone wall daintily splattered lusciously by moss wherein the only entrance has a secret opening to it. Furthermore, the only possible way to the said clearing was the hidden maze of passageways bordering the castle. Around the clearing are tall and thick bushes encasing it in a mysterious subtle way. No one ever wandered what's inside due to the fact that it was rumored that wild animals where corralled there by the King himself for his personal delights. Trusted servants, guards and the Royal family only knew of the said abode, and thus, for a long time now, no one outside the palace had ever known.

They've been staying there for God knows how long. The war wasn't over yet although the kingdom didn't fell. It had been mightily protected by the King and His trusted allies, the Dukes of Kensington and St. Ives. Threats and assassinations were still rampant though, that's why the King and Queen decided to let their only daughter stay hidden from public's prying eyes. Rumors swarmed the Kingdom regarding the Princess' sudden demise. The royal family made no attempt to correct the assumptions since they believed that it will account for the Princess' safety.

"Nana, do you think father and mother will visit me sometime soon? I miss them terribly." Leilah said quizzically with furrowed brows and upturned mouth making her only look like a seriously thinking pixie with a dimple playing across her right cheek.

Her parents would sometime visit her secretly. She mostly loved the times when her father would teach her hand combat and archery personally. He would always inculcate in her mind its importance.

"Your safety should always come first, alright?" He'd say it every time after their mock sparring was done. She'd always answered her assent and would hug him roughly after, since she knew that it'll be the end of his visit and that she'll never get to see him again after sometime. Her mother on the other hand, would watched them only from afar with a radiant smile on her lovely face. A typically normal family affair it would seem. However, it's been awhile now since their last visit. I wonder what on earth happened. Leilah thought to herself.

It has been four years since that unfortunate incident had occurred. She could still remember being stuck in a stone chilled dark room with nothing but her timid little self. Right after she faintly heard the last clashed of swords, she basically crumpled and cried silently wishing for the warmth of her mother. A few hours had passed when her Nana came to collect her, groggy and traumatized. She looked worse for wear, with matted hair sticking to her face from dried tears and puffy red eyes from incessant crying. Her nana informed her that her parents was safe and that they insisted for them to be together to hide because as of the moment her security comes first.

They plunged deeper into the darkened tunnel. At the end was an open ground breathtaking meadow bordered by the stone walls, a picturesque, and on the center was a lovely little cottage. It was more like a secret magical garden wherein pixies, dwarfs and other paranormal entities believed to be residing.

"Come child, let's eat. No need to let this meal go cold. I'm sure they're just fine. Don't worry yourself too much." her nana said breaking through her wandering thoughts.

"Okay. Thanks nana." she said dishearteningly. She ate her food in a thoughtful silence, answering only her nana in a brief manner when asked.

Their companionable easy manner were interrupted by a sudden knock on the main door.